esotropia

This is when the eyes turn inwards (cross-eyed).  Ocular alignment problems like this can develop from many sources such as congenital crossed-eyes (which is usually treated with strabismus surgery during childhood to straighten the eyes out).  Crossed eyes can also occur from decompensation of a pre-existing esophoria (a natural tendency for the eyes to turn inward). Acute crossing can happen after a stroke or cranial nerve palsy … new onset diplopia (double vision) needs to be evaluated by an eye doctor.